2013-2014 Graduate Catalog Downloadable PDF (10.71MB)

326 Course Descriptions/AgribusinessFurthering the development of Texas, U.S. and international value-added agricultural and foodenterprises will require considerable analytical and managerial expertise. Graduate-trained managersare needed who are comfortable working in technical fields of expertise and who also have an understandingof the unique challenges and issues facing the agricultural and food sector. The Master ofAgribusiness program provides this training.Students completing the PhD program in Agribusiness and Managerial Economics will be uniquelyqualified to teach agribusiness and conduct research in academic, government and consulting careers.This program provides a solid foundation of economic theory and application with field areas in thedifferent business disciplines of finance, strategic management, marketing and supply chain managementin the Mays Business School.Training these graduates requires strong interdepartmental and interdisciplinary teaching and researchprograms emphasizing the application of managerial economics. The Master of Agribusinessand PhD in Agribusiness and Managerial Economics programs are designed to address these needsthrough the integrated curricula across Agricultural Economics, Economics and the Mays BusinessSchool.Information regarding the programs and application process may be obtained from the website atagecon3.tamu.edu/graduate/graduate_index.html (click on “degrees”) or by contacting the IntercollegiateFaculty Chair.Department of Agricultural Economicsagecon.tamu.eduHead: C. P. Rosson, III; Graduate Advisor: D. J. LeathamThe Department of Agricultural Economics engages people in the use of economic analysis formaking decisions involving agribusiness (including food and fiber production, supplying inputs, processingproducts and marketing), natural resources and communities. Students are taught to developtheir leadership, analytical and communication skills. Disciplinary research and graduate educationenhance the use of economic principles and research methods in solving economic problems facingsociety. Applied research programs emphasize the analysis of business and public policy issues.In planning a student’s program, the need for broad training, rather than narrow specialization, isrecognized. Students (regardless of their primary interests) are encouraged to take not only advancedcourses covering various fields within the department but also essential supporting courses in other departments.Students are expected to acquire a knowledge of economic theory, its application to contemporaryagricultural production, agribusiness and resource problems, and the ability to employ analyticaltechniques in making policy and business decisions.The teaching and research activities are grouped broadly as follows: agribusiness management andfinance, production economics, markets and trade, policy analysis, and resource economics. The presentand expanding program of research in the department affords the student a wide choice and capableguidance in thesis or dissertation research.Master of Science and Master of Agribusiness degrees are offered. MS students may choose betweenthe thesis option (recommended for those students who plan to go on for further graduate studies) andthe non-thesis option. Students who choose the MS non-thesis option take a greater number of courses.The Master of Agribusiness degree program is non-thesis, interdisciplinary and jointly administeredby the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Mays Business School. This professional curriculumis designed to provide a broad preparation for economic, financial and marketing analysis ofagribusiness, food and fiber industry decisions.The PhD program concentrates on the theory, quantitative tools and methodology required ofthe professional applied economist. Field areas offered within the PhD program include: Markets andInformation Economics, Resource and Environmental Economics and Policy and Trade. A PhD inAgribusiness and Managerial Economics is also offered by the Intercollegiate Faculty of Agribusiness(see page 325). No foreign language is required for students pursuing any of our PhD programs. Formore information about program requirements and employment opportunities, contact the department’sgraduate office.